Coin-selecting assembly for serrated coins

ABSTRACT

The selector assembly includes a support plate and a rail adjacent thereto which directs a coin into a coin serration detector assembly. The serration detector assembly includes a serration detector balance means pivotally mounted to the support plate and having a sensing feeler projecting outwardly from the balance means and into the trajectory of the coin. Engagement of a nonserrated coin deflects the feeler and balance means in an upward direction, the coin being thereby directed into contact with, and rebound from, a kicker plate below the detector assembly. Engagement of a serrated coin rotates the feeler and balance means and moves the feeler in a downward direction, the coin being thereby directed onto a second kicker from which it rebounds in a different path from that taken by a nonserrated coin.

Inventor Kenneth E. Hammond Scarborough, Ontario, Canada Appl. No. 811,401 Filed Mar. 28, I969 Patented Aug. 10, 1971 Assignee Coin Acceptors, Inc.

St. Louis, Mo. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 758,745,Sepl. 10, I968.

COIN-SELECTING ASSEMBLY FOR SERRATED COINS 14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 194/97 [51] Int. Cl G07t 3/02 [50] Field of Search... 194/97, 99, 102

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,454,146 7/1969 Erickson 194/97 FOREIGN PATENTS 342,625 2/1931 GreatBritain Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg AttorneyCohn and Powell ABSTRACT: The selector assembly includes a support plate and a rail adjacent thereto which directs a coin into a coin serration detector assembly. The serration detector assembly includes a serration detector balance means pivotally mounted to the support plate and having a sensing feeler projecting outwardly from the balance means and into the trajectory, of the coin. Engagement of a nonserrated coin deflects the feeler and balance means in an upward direction, the coin being thereby directed into contact with, and rebound from, a kicker plate below the detector assembly. Engagement of a serrated coin rotates the feeler and balance means and moves the feeler in a downward direction, the coin being thereby directed onto a second kicker from which it rebounds in a different path from that taken by a nonserrated coin.

PATENTEU ms 1 men 3,598,217

' MUIMZ 2 INVENTO |B YENNE E. HAMMOND Mm MPM ATTORNEYS PATENTED nus] 01971 FIG." 5

SHEET 2 HF 2 INVENTOR KENNETH E. HAMMOND ATTORNEYS This application is a continuation-in-part of application, Ser. No. 758,745, filed Sept. 10, 1968.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to coin selecting and separating devices and in particular, to a selection device for detecting edge surface characteristics such as serrations. In the known prior art, the separation of serrated and smoothedged coins has been primarily effectuated by modifying the well-known coin cradle described, for example, in US. Pat. No. 3,120,300.

7 Coin cradles, which are basic to coin selection devices of the type under discussion, are useful for separating coins on a basis of size and weight. Selected coins are then directed into a predetermined path for further tests, such as the magnetic test for metal differentiation. Modification of the coin cradle so that it will perform the additional functions of accepting or rejecting coins on the basis of whether or not they have serrated edges obviously presents certain problems. Such a modified cradle, for example, is not easily susceptible to fine adjustment with regard to its new function of detecting coin serration, except at the risk of affecting the balance of the cradle. This balance, of course, is necessary if the cradle is to perform its original functions of size and weight separation adequately.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present device is independent of the basic cradle and provides a separate stage in a coin-selecting mechanism for performing the function of separating serrated and nonserrated coins. Because of its independence, the serration selector is susceptible to balancing adjustment which is not available in the modified cradle selection detector.

The selector assembly includes a support having a rail disposed thereon which is adapted to receive and direct a coin in a predetermined trajectory. A serration detector balance means, including an outstanding feeler, is pivotally mounted to the support means in spaced relation from the rail to intercept the trajectory of the coin as it leaves the rail.

The support means includes an abutment and a pivot disposed in spaced relation from each other, and mounting the balance means in a rest position, so that the center of gravity of the balance means is disposed on one side of the pivot between the pivot and the abutment. The feeler is disposed on the other side of the pivot.

The balance means includes a shoulder and a slot disposed in spaced relation from each other, and coacting with the abutment and pivot respectively, to mount the balance means to the support means. When the feeler engages a serrated coin, the feeler rotates with the balance means about the pivot toward the trajectory of the coin and when the feeler engages a nonserrated coin, the feeler and balance move away from the trajectory, the balance means swinging about the fulcrum provided by the seating of the shoulder on the abutment. The slot extends below the pin in the rest position and cooperates with the pin to provide a guide for the balance means during the swinging movement.

A second abutment is disposed in spaced relation from the pivot means and the abutment means, to provide a stop limiting rotation of the balance means about the pivot means following pivot engagement with a serrated coin.

Guide means is disposed below the feeler and includes a kicker located to intercept the path of at least one of the coins, to direct the coin into a predetermined path. The guide means includes first and second kickers disposed below the feeler and located to intercept the paths of serrated and nonserrated coins respectively, to direct each of such coins into a different predetermined path.

A rail means having first and second opposed downwardly inclined faces is disposed below the kickers to direct serrated and nonserrated coins respectively after contact with their associated kickers into different predetermined paths.

The support means includes an adjustable bracket arm, the arm including the pivot pivotally and adjustably attached to the support means of one end, and the first and second abutments disposed substantially at the other end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of the selector assembly illustrating the disposition of parts immediately prior to feeler engagement with a nonserrated coin;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the selector assembly illustrating the disposition of parts immediately following feeler engagement with a nonserrated coin;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in cross section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view partly in cross section taken on line 4-4 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the selector as sembly illustrating the disposition of parts immediately prior to feeler engagement with a serrated coin, and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the selector assembly illustrating the disposition of parts immediately following feeler engagement with a serrated coin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be understood that the complete coin acceptor device 10 is not shown. Only such details of the complete device 10 are shown as are believed necessary to the explanation and description of those parts of the device which are pertinent to an understanding of the selector assembly for serrated coins. Prior stages of the coin acceptor mechanism, in which the coin is deposited into a suitable slot and directed into a cradle mechanism are omitted for clarity. Likewise, suchmechanism as is used for separating coins with regard to their metallic content are omitted.

FIGS. I and 2 of the drawings are preferably read in conjunction and illustrate the disposition of the various parts of the coin selector device 10 when a nonserrated coin, usually a slug, is subjected to the action of the coin selecting mechanism. FIG. 1 shows the disposition of selector parts immediately before engagement with a nonserrated coin, and FIG. 2 the disposition of selectorparts immediately after such engagement. In both FIGS. 1 .and 2, the location of the coin immediately prior to engagement with the selector mechanism is shown in full outline.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, and first to FIG. I, it will be understood that the coin selector device 10 includes a support plate 11 constituting a support means. Forming an adjustable part of the support plate 11 is an adjustable bracket arm 12. The bracket arm 12 is disposed in a recess 13 and is pivotally attached to the support plate 1 l. The pivotal attachment is accomplished by a setscrew and slot arrangement 14 and 15. The arm 12 preferably hangs in a substantially vertical position.

At its outer end, the bracket arm 12 includes a pair of projecting stop means 16 and 17 providing first and second abutments l8 and I9 respectively. A pin 23 constituting a pivot means. is attached to and projects outwardly from the bracket arm [2.

The serration detector consists essentially of a balance means 20 which includes a body 21 and a feeler 22. The feeler 22 is preferably of spring steel and is firmly secured to the body 21. The balance means 20 includes a slot 24 which receives the pin 23 and also includes a shoulder 25, which seats on the abutment 18 in the inoperative position of the balance means 20. Thus, the pin 23 and the abutment 18 constitute a mounting means, mounting the balance means 20 to the bracket arm 12. The center of gravity of the balance means 20, including the feeler 22 lies between the abutment l8 and the slot 26. This arrangement assures that the balance means 20 is at rest when the selector device is inoperative.

An adjustable rail 27, which is pivoted at one end (not shown) and provided with a setscrew and slot adjustment arrangement 28 and 29 at the other end, is disposed in spaced relation from the feeler 22. This spaced relation is such that a nonserrated coin 30 traveling down the rail face 31 leaves the face 31 in a trajectory directing it into engagement with the feeler 22. In other words, the tip of the feeler 22 intercepts the envelope of trajectory of the nonserrated coin 30, the envelope being defined by the diameter of the coin.

FIG. 2 indicates the path of the nonserrated coin 30 after engagement with the feeler 22. The nonserrated coin 30 shown in FIG. 2 in full outline, is at precisely the same location as it is in FIG. 1, that is, immediately prior to engagement with the feeler 22. The feeler 22 shown in dotted outline in FIG. 2 is in the same location as is the feeler 22 in FIG. 1.

Because the coin 30 has a substantially smooth edge, the engagement by the coin 30 with the feeler 22 results in the feeler 22 moving upwardly under the impact of the coin 30 and car tying the balance means with it. The balance means 20 swings about the seating of the shoulder on the abutment l8, and cooperation between the slot 24 and the pin 23 received therein, acts to guide and limit the upward swinging movement.

The balance means 20 has a relatively small mass and in consequence, the coin continues on a forward as well as a downward path. A kicker 32 is disposed in spaced relation below the feeler 22 downward of its path and, when the coin 30 impinges on the kicker face 33, the coin 30 is directed into a changed, predetermined path. The momentum remaining in the coin 30 carries it to a downwardly inclined face 37 of an adjustable rail 36, whence it is carried into a rejection channel for return to the vending machine customer.

THe kicker 32 includes a setscrew and a slot arrangement 34 and 35 which permit adjustment of the kicker 32, both horizontally and rotationally. Similarly, a coacting setscrew and slot arrangement 41 and 42 in the rail 36, permits adjustment ofthe rail 36.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are comparable to FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the operation of the coin selector device 10 is considered in conjunction with a serrated coin 40. FIG. 5 is identical with FIG. 1, except that the feeler 22 is on the point of engagement with the serrations of the serrated coin 40. At this point, the feeler 22 is in precisely the same position as for a nonserrated coin 30. That is to say, the tip of the feeler 22 lies within the trajectory envelope of the coin 40.

FIG. 6 illustrates the disposition of the balance means following feeler engagement with the serrated coin 40, and the feeler 22 shown in dotted outline in FIG. 6 is in the same location as is the feeler 22 in FIG. 5. The momentum of the serrated coin 40, after engagement by the feeler 22, rotates the balance means 20 about the pin 23 thereby directing the coin into a path which is substantially vertical, at which time, the coin 40 becomes disengaged from the feeler 22. The second abutment 19 of the stop means 17 is disposed in spaced relation from the pin 23, whereby to limit rotation of the balance means about the pin 23. The abutment 19 is disengaged by the shoulder 26 of the balance means 20 at the desired rotational limit to prevent the balance means from rotating too far.

The disposition of the kicker 32 is sufficiently horizontally spaced from the downward path of the coin 40 to avoid contact with the coin 40. A second kicker 44, provided by a pin, is disposed in spaced relation below the feeler 22. This kicker 44 is spaced to one side of the substantially vertical path of the coin 40. When the coin 40 contacts the kicker 44, the coin 40 is deflected onto the downwardly inclined face 38 of the rail 36, and thence into a slot 47 defined by abutment 48, thereby directing the coin 40 to trigger the vending mechanism.

It will be understood from FIGS. 4 and 6 that in the preferred embodiment, the kicker 44 projects outwardly from an adjustable plate 45, the plate being adjustably secured to the support 11 by means ofa setscrew and slot arrangement 50 and 51. The plate 45 is preferably disposed clear of the support plate 11 and a recess 52 is provided in the support plate I l which permits the kicker 44 to project beyond the substantially flush face of the support plate 1 1.

It is thought that the functional advantages of this coin selector device have become fully apparent from the foregoing description of parts, but for completeness of s disclosure, the operation of the device will be briefly reviewed.

The bracket arm 12, the rails 27 and 26 and the kickers 32 and 44 are preferably susceptible of adjustment. Thus, perfect alignment of the vending machine in which the device is to be installed, is unnecessary and, because of these adjustment features, the device may be given final adjustment in the field after installation of the vending machine. A screwdriver is the only tool necessary to accomplish such adjustment.

It will be assumed that the vending machine is intended to accept coins of 10 cent denomination, which have serrated edges and reject slugs or coins of substantially the same size and weight as an authentic coin, but without serrated edges. A slug, which has passed the size and weight tests controlled by the cradle (not shown) will roll down the rail 27 and follow a trajectory which will lead it into direct contact with the feeler 22 of the balance means 20. Because such a slug has a smooth edge, the feeler 22 is simply pushed upwardly, pivoting about the seating between the shoulder 25 and the abutment 18 away from the trajectory of the coin. The provision ofa slot in the balance means 20 receiving the pin 23 permits and guides the upward movement.

The slug has retained sufficient forward momentum after engagement with the balance means 20 to carry it into contact with the face 33 of the first kicker 32. It strikes kicker 32 and rebounds into a new path which ultimately brings it into contact with the downwardly inclined rail 37 and hence to a rejec tion path leading to a coin return pocket (not shown).

The path of the authentic 10 cent coin 40, up until the time it engages the feeler 22, is substantially the same as that of the slug. However, as clearly shown by FIGS. 5 and 6, the tip of the feeler 22, on engagement with the serrated edge of the coin 40, causes the balance means 20 to rotate about the pin 23 in a counterclockwise direction. This rotation moves the feeler 22 downward toward the trajectory, rather than away from it, and substantially divests the serrated coin 40 of forward motion and directs the coin 40 into a substantially downward path to contact the second kicker 44. The coin 40 rebounds from this kicker 44 onto the downwardly inclined face 38 of the rail 36 to be received into a slot 47. Reception into the slot 47 results in the triggering of the vending mechanism.

I claim as my invention:

1. A selector assembly for serrated coins in a coin acceptor, comprising:

a. a support means,

b. a rail adapted to receive and direct a coin in a predetermined trajectory,

c. a serration detector balance means including a feeler disposed downpath of the rail,

d. a mounting means mounting the balance means to the support means for movement of the feeler away from the trajectory when the feeler engages a substantially nonserrated coin, and movement of the feeler toward the trajectory when the feeler engages a substantially serrated coin to change the trajectory and direct the coin into a substantially different path, and

. guide means downpath of the feeler.

. An assembly as defined in claim I, in which:

. the mounting means includes a cooperating pin and slot disposed between the balance means and the support means, the pin being attached to one of the latter two means and the slot being disposed in the other of the latter two means.

3. An assembly as defined in claim 1, in which:

f. the balance means includes a shoulder,

g. the support means includes an abutment adapted to seat the shoulder,

h. the mounting means includes a pin projecting from the support means in spaced relation to the abutment, and a cooperating slot disposed in spaced relation from the shoulder to receive the pin, and

. the center of gravity of the balance means in the operative position lies between the pin and the abutment.

. An assembly as defined in claim 3, in which:

. the guide means includes a first kicker means disposed below the feeler and located to intercept the trajectory of at least one of the coins to direct said coin into a predetermined path. I

. An assembly as defined in claim 4, in which:

. the guide means includes a second kicker means disposed below the first kicker means and located to intercept the trajectory of the other of said coins to direct said coins into a different predetermined path.

. An assembly as defined in claim 5, in which:

the guide means includes rail means having opposed,

downwardly inclined faces disposed below associated kicker means and adapted to receive and direct serrated and nonserrated coins respectively.

. An assembly as defined in claim 3, in which:

j. the balance means rotates about the pin when the feeler engages a serrated coin, and

k. the support means includes a second abutment providing a stop means limiting the rotation of the balance means.

8. An assembly as defined in claim 3, in which:

j. the slot in the balance means extends below the pin in the inoperative position, and

k. the balance means swings about the seating of the shoulder on the abutment when the feeler engages a nonserrated coin, and the slot cooperates with the pin to guide the swinging movement.

9. A selector assembly for serrated coins in a coin acceptor,

comprising:

a. a support means including an adjustable bracket arm,

b. a rail adapted to receive and direct the coin in a predetermined trajectory,

c. a serration detector balance means including an outstanding feeler, the feeler being adapted to move in one direction on engagement with a serrated coin and in an opposite direction on engagement with a nonserrated com,

(1. means on the support means mounting the balance means thereto including stop means and pivot means disposed in spaced relation at the outer end of the bracket arm, and

e. the balance means including a shoulder and a slot disposed in spaced relation and cooperating with the stop means and the pivot means respectively to mount the balance means.

10. An assembly as defined in claim 9, in which:

f. the feeler is disposed on one side of the pivot means, and

g. the center of gravity of the balance means is disposed on the other side of the pivot means between the pivot means and the stop means.

1']. An assembly as defined in claim 10, in which:

h. a second stop means is disposed in spaced relation from the pivot means and first said stop means to limit rotation of the balance means about the pivot means following engagement of the feeler with a serrated coin, and

i. the slot coacts with the pivot means to provide a guide for the balance means following engagement of the feeler with a nonserrated coin.

12. An assembly as defined in claim 9, in which:

f. a kicker is disposed below the feeler downpath of a serrated coin whereby to direct the serrated coin into a predetermined path.

13. An assembly as defined in claim 12, in which:

g. a second kicker spaced from the first said kicker is disposed below the feeler downpath of a nonserrated coin whereby to direct the nonserrated coin into a different predetermined path. 14. An assembly as defined in claim 9, in which:

f. first and second kickers are disposed in spaced relation below the feeler downpath of the serrated and nonserrated coins respectively to direct such coins into different predetermined paths, and

g. a rail means having first and second opposed downwardly inclined faces is disposed below the kickers to direct serrated and nonserrated coins respectively into different predetermined paths after contact with their associated kickers. 

1. A selector assembly for serrated coins in a coin acceptor, comprising: a. a support means, b. a rail adapted to receive and direct a coin in a predetermined trajectory, c. a serration detector balance means including a feeler disposed downpath of the rail, d. a mounting means mounting the balance means to the support means for movement of the feeler away from the trajectory when the feeler engages a substantially nonserrated coin, and movement of the feeler toward the trajectory when the feeler engages a substantially serrated coin to change the trajectory and direct the coin into a substantially different path, and e. guide means downpath of the feeler.
 2. An assembly as defined in claim 1, in which: f. the mounting means includes a cooperating pin and slot disposed between the balance means and the support means, the pin being attached to one of the latter two means and the slot being disposed in the other of the latter two means.
 3. An assembly as defined in claim 1, in which: f. the balance means includes a shoulder, g. the support means includes an abutment adapted to seat the shoulder, h. the mounting means includes a pin projecting from the support means in spaced relation to the abutment, and a cooperating slot disposed in spaced relation from the shoulder to receive the pin, and i. the center of gravity of the balance means in the operative position lies between the pin and the abutment.
 4. An assembly as defined in claim 3, in which: j. the guide means includes a first kicker means disposed below the feeler and located to intercept the trajectory of at least one of the coins to direct said coin into a predetermined path.
 5. An assembly as defined in claim 4, in which: k. the guide means includes a second kicker means disposed below the first kicker means and located to intercept the trajectory of the other of said coins to direct said coins into a different predetermined path.
 6. An assembly as defined in claim 5, in which: i. the guide means includes rail means having opposed, downwardly inclined faces disposed below associated kicker means and adapted to receive and direct serrated and nonserrated coins respectively.
 7. An assembly as defined in claim 3, in which: j. the balance means rotates about the pin when the feeler engages a serrated coin, and k. the support means includes a second abutment providing a stop means limiting the rotation of the balance means.
 8. An assembly as defined in claim 3, in which: j. the slot in the balance means extends below the pin in the inoperative position, and k. the balance means swings about the seating of the shoulder on the abutment when the feeler engages a nonserrated coin, and the slot cooperates with the pin to guide the swinging movement.
 9. A selector assembly for serrated coins in a coin acceptor, comprising: a. a support means including an adjustable bracket arm, b. a rail adapted to receive and direct the coin in a predetermined trajectory, c. a serration detector balance means including an outstanding feeler, the feeler being adapted to move in one direction on engagement with a serrated coin and in an opposite direction on engagement with a nonserrated coin, d. means on the support means mounting the balance means thereto including stop means and pivot means disposed in spaced relation at the outer end of the bracket arm, and e. the balance means including a shoulder and a slot disposed in spaced relation and cooperating with the stop means and the pivot means respectively to mount the balance means.
 10. An assembly as defined in claim 9, in which: f. the feeler is disposed on one side of the pivot Means, and g. the center of gravity of the balance means is disposed on the other side of the pivot means between the pivot means and the stop means.
 11. An assembly as defined in claim 10, in which: h. a second stop means is disposed in spaced relation from the pivot means and first said stop means to limit rotation of the balance means about the pivot means following engagement of the feeler with a serrated coin, and i. the slot coacts with the pivot means to provide a guide for the balance means following engagement of the feeler with a nonserrated coin.
 12. An assembly as defined in claim 9, in which: f. a kicker is disposed below the feeler downpath of a serrated coin whereby to direct the serrated coin into a predetermined path.
 13. An assembly as defined in claim 12, in which: g. a second kicker spaced from the first said kicker is disposed below the feeler downpath of a nonserrated coin whereby to direct the nonserrated coin into a different predetermined path.
 14. An assembly as defined in claim 9, in which: f. first and second kickers are disposed in spaced relation below the feeler downpath of the serrated and nonserrated coins respectively to direct such coins into different predetermined paths, and g. a rail means having first and second opposed downwardly inclined faces is disposed below the kickers to direct serrated and nonserrated coins respectively into different predetermined paths after contact with their associated kickers. 